Aminopiperidinyl derivatives and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

This application discloses aminopiperidinyl compounds of generic Formulae I-II: 
                         
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein m, r, Q 1 , Q 2 , Q 3 , R, R a , R 1 , R 2a , R 2b , and R 3  are defined as described herein, useful for treatment of diseases associated with monoamine reuptake inhibitors. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of using, and methods of preparing the compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/039,286 filed on Mar. 25, 2008, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to aminopiperidinyl compounds and methods for using the same. In particular, compounds of the present invention are useful for treatment of diseases associated with monoamine reuptake inhibitors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Monoamine deficiency has been long been linked to depressive, anxiolytic and other disorders (see, e.g.: Charney et al., J. Clin. Psychiatry (1998) 59, 1-14; Delgado et al., J. Clin. Psychiatry (2000) 67, 7-11; Resser et al., Depress. Anxiety (2000) 12 (Suppl 1) 2-19; and Hirschfeld et al., J. Clin. Psychiatry (2000) 61, 4-6). In particular, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and norepinephrine are recognized as key modulatory neurotransmitters that play an important role in mood regulation. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram and escitalopram have provided treatments for depressive disorders (Mas and et al., Harv. Rev. Psychiatry (1999) 7, 69-84). Noradrenaline or norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as reboxetine, atomoxetine, desipramine and nortryptyline have provided effective treatments for depressive, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders (Scates et al., Ann. Pharmacother. (2000) 34, 1302-1312; Tatsumi et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. (1997) 340, 249-258).

Enhancement of serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission is recognized to be synergistic in the pharmacotherapy of depressive and anxiolytic disorders, in comparison with enhancement of only serotonin or norepinephrine neurotransmission alone (Thase et al., Br. J. Psychiatry (2001) 178, 234, 241; Tran et al., J. Clin. Psychopharmacology (2003) 23, 78-86). Dual reuptake inhibitors of both serotonin and norepinephrine, such as duloxetine, milnacipran and venlafaxine are currently marketed for treatment of depressive and anxiolytic disorders (Mallinckrodt et al., J. Clin. Psychiatry (2003) 5(1) 19-28; Bymaster et al., Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs (2003) 12(4) 531-543). Dual reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine also offer potential treatments for schizophrenia and other psychoses, dyskinesias, drug addition, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, attention deficit disorders, panic attacks, social phobias, eating disorders such as obesity, anorexia, bulimia and “binge-eating”, stress, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, seizure disorders such as epilepsy, and treatment of conditions associated with neurological damage resulting from stroke, brain trauma, cerebral ischaemia, head injury and hemorrhage. Dual reuptake inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine also offer potential treatments for disorders and disease states of the urinary tract, and for pain and inflammation.

More recently, “triple reuptake” inhibitors (“broad-spectrum antidepressants”) which inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, have been recognized as useful for the treatment of depression and other CNS indications (Beer et al., J. Clinical Pharmacology (2004) 44:1360-1367; Skolnick et al., Eur J Pharmacol. (2003) February 14; 461(2-3):99-104).

Monoamine reuptake inhibitors also have use in pain treatment. Serotonin has been found to have a role in pain processing in the peripheral nervous system and to contribute to peripheral sensitization and hyperalgesia in inflammation and nerve injury (Sommer et al., Molecular Neurobiology (2004) 30(2), 117-125). The serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor duloxetine has been shown effective in treatment of pain in animal models (Iyengar et al., J. Pharm. Exper. Therapeutics (2004), 311, 576-584).

There is accordingly a need for compounds that are effective as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and/or dual reuptake inhibitors of serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine, or triple reuptake inhibitors of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, as well as methods of making and using such compounds in the treatment of depressive, anxiolytic, genitourinary, pain, and other disorders. The present invention satisfies these needs

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The application provides a comound of Formula I

or an enantiomer, diastereomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

m is 0 or 1;

R is hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy;

Q¹ is N(R^(a′)) or S;

Q² is CH, C(R^(b)), or N;

Q³ is CH, C(R^(b)), or N;

R^(a) is H or lower alkyl;

R^(a′) is H, lower alkyl, or —S(═O)₂R^(c);

each R^(b) is independently R^(b′) or R^(b″);

-   -   each R^(b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, —CN, lower alkyl,         lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl,         phenyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl, optionally substituted         with one or more R^(c);     -   each R^(b″) is independently —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)),         —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂,         S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c));         -   each R^(c) is independently R^(d) or R^(e);             -   R^(d) is H;             -   R^(e) is lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, or                 phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(e′);                 -   each R^(e′) is independently hydroxy, halogen,                     amino, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl,                     or —CN;

R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each independently H, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, or lower alkoxy;

r is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and

R³ is halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, —CN, —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)).

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, r is 0, m is 0, Q¹ is N(R^(a′)), R^(a′) is H, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, r is 1, m is 0, Q¹ is N(R^(a′)), R^(a′) is H, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, r is 0, m is 0, Q¹ is S, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, r is 1, m is 0, Q¹ is S, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R³ is halogen.

In certain embodiments, R³ is halogen.

In certain embodiments, R³ is —CN.

In certain embodiments, R³ is —CN.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower alkoxy.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower alkoxy.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower haloalkoxy.

In certain embodiments, R³ is lower haloalkoxy.

In certain embodiments, R³ is cycloalkyl alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R³ is cycloalkyl alkyl.

The application provides a compound of Formula II:

or an enantiomer, diastereomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

m is 0 or 1;

R is hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy;

Q¹ is N(R^(a′)) or S;

Q² is CH, C(R^(b)), or N;

Q³ is CH, C(R^(b)), or N;

R^(a) is H or lower alkyl;

R^(a′) is H, lower alkyl, or —S(═O)₂R^(c);

each R^(b) is independently R^(b′) or R^(b″);

-   -   each R^(b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, —CN, lower alkyl,         lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl,         phenyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl, optionally substituted         with one or more R^(c);     -   each R^(b″) is independently —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)),         —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂,         S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c));         -   each R^(c) is independently R^(d) or R^(e);             -   R^(d) is H;             -   R^(e) is lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, or                 phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(e′);                 -   each R^(e′) is independently hydroxy, halogen,                     amino, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl,                     or —CN;

R¹ is R^(1a) or R^(1b);

-   -   R^(1a) is H;     -   R^(1b) is lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower         alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, benzyl,         heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl alkyl, heteroaryl,         naphthalenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(1b′);         -   each R^(1b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, amino,             phenyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, or —CN;

R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each independently H, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, or lower alkoxy;

r is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and

R³ is halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, —CN, —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)).

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, m is 0, Q¹ is N(R^(a′)), R^(a′) is H, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R^(a), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H, m is 0, Q¹ is S, Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is cycloalkyl alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is cycloalkyl alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is heterocycloalkyl alkyl.

In certain embodiments, R¹ is heterocycloalkyl alkyl.

The application provides a compound selected from the group consisting of:

In one aspect, the application provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising any one of the compounds described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In one aspect, the application provides a method for treating diseases associated with monoamine reuptake inhibitors, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the compounds described herein.

In one aspect, the application provides a method for treating anxiety, depression, or both, said method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of any one of the compounds described herein

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in this Application, including the specification and claims, have the definitions given below. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Agonist” refers to a compound that enhances the activity of another compound or receptor site.

“Alkyl” means the monovalent linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon moiety, consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from one to twelve carbon atoms. “Lower alkyl” refers to a linear or branched alkyl group of one to six carbon atoms, i.e. C₁-C₆alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl, octyl, dodecyl, and the like.

“Alkylene” means a linear saturated divalent hydrocarbon radical of one to six carbon atoms or a branched saturated divalent hydrocarbon radical of three to six carbon atoms, e.g., methylene, ethylene, 2,2-dimethylethylene, propylene, 2-methylpropylene, butylene, pentylene, and the like.

“Alkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is an alkyl moiety as defined herein. Examples of alkoxy moieties include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.

“Alkoxyalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkylene and R″ is alkoxy as defined herein. Exemplary alkoxyalkyl groups include, by way of example, 2-methoxyethyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl, 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl, and 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-3-methoxypropyl.

“Alkylcarbonyl” means a moiety of the formula —C(O)—R, where R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonyl” means a moiety of the formula —SO₂—R′ where R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfanyl” means a moiety of the formula —S—R′ where R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R^(b)—SO₂—R^(a), where R^(a) is alkyl and R^(b) is alkylene as defined herein. Exemplary alkylsulfonylalkyl groups include, by way of example, 3-methanesulfonylpropyl, 2-methanesulfonylethyl, 2-methanesulfonylpropy, and the like.

“Alkylsulfanylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R^(b)—S—R^(a), where R^(a) is alkyl and R^(b) is alkylene as defined herein.

“Alkylsulfonyloxy” means a moiety of the formula R^(a)—SO₂O—O—, where R^(a) is alkyl as defined herein.

“Amino” means a moiety of the formula —NRR′ wherein R and R′ each independently is hydrogen or alkyl as defined herein. Amino thus includes “alkylamino” (where one of R and R′ is alkyl and the other is hydrogen) and “dialkylamino” (where R and R′ are both alkyl.

“Alkylcarbonylamino” means a group of the formula —NR—C(O)—R′ wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R′ is alkyl as defined herein.

“Antagonist” refers to a compound that diminishes or prevents the action of another compound or receptor site.

“Aryl” means a monovalent cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon moiety consisting of a mono-, bi- or tricyclic aromatic ring. The aryl group can be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of aryl moieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl, fluorenyl, indenyl, azulenyl, oxydiphenyl, biphenyl, methylenediphenyl, aminodiphenyl, diphenylsulfidyl, diphenylsulfonyl, diphenylisopropylidenyl, benzodioxanyl, benzodioxylyl, benzoxazinyl, benzoxazinonyl, benzopiperadinyl, benzopiperazinyl, benzopyrrolidinyl, benzomorpholinyl, methylenedioxyphenyl, ethylenedioxyphenyl, and the like. Preferred aryl include optionally substituted phenyl and optionally substituted naphthyl.

“Aryloxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is an aryl moiety as defined herein.

“Arylalkyl” and “Aralkyl”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a radical-R^(a)R^(b) where R^(a) is an alkylene group and R^(b) is an aryl group as defined herein; e.g., phenylalkyls such as benzyl, phenylethyl, 3-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-methylpentyl, and the like are examples of arylalkyl.

“Aralkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is an aralkyl moiety as defined herein.

“Cyanoalkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkylene as defined herein and R″ is cyano or nitrile.

“Cycloalkyl” means a monovalent saturated carbocyclic moiety consisting of mono- or bicyclic rings. Cycloalkyl can optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, wherein each substituent is independently hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Examples of cycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like, including partially unsaturated derivatives thereof.

“Cycloalkyloxy” and “cycloalkoxy”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a group of the formula —OR wherein R is cycloalkyl as defined herein. Exemplary cycloalkyloxy include cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and the like.

“Cycloalkylalkyl” or “cycloalkyl alkyl” means a moiety of the formula —R′—R″, where R′ is alkylene and R″ is cycloalkyl as defined herein.

“Alkylcycloalkylalkyl” means a moiety of the formula

wherein n is from 1 to 4, R is alkylene and R′ is alkyl as defined herein. Exemplary alkylcycloalkylalkyl include 2-(1-methyl-cyclopropyl)-ethyl and 3-(1-methyl-cyclopropyl)-methyl and the like.

“Cycloalkylalkyloxy” and “cycloalkylalkoxy”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a group of the formula —OR wherein R is cycloalkylalkyl as defined herein. Exemplary cycloalkyloxy include cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy and the like.

“Heteroalkyl” means an alkyl radical as defined herein, including a branched C₄-C₇-alkyl, wherein one, two or three hydrogen atoms have been replaced with a substituent independently selected from the group consisting of —OR^(a), —NR^(b)R^(c), and —S(O)_(n)R^(d) (where n is an integer from 0 to 2), with the understanding that the point of attachment of the heteroalkyl radical is through a carbon atom, wherein R^(a) is hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; R^(b) and R^(c) are independently of each other hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl; and when n is 0, R^(d) is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkylalkyl, and when n is 1 or 2, R^(d) is alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, amino, acylamino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-hydroxymethylethyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 2-aminoethyl, 3-aminopropyl, 2-methylsulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylmethyl, aminosulfonylethyl, aminosulfonylpropyl, methylaminosulfonylmethyl, methylaminosulfonylethyl, methylaminosulfonylpropyl, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” means a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic radical of 5 to 12 ring atoms having at least one aromatic ring containing one, two, or three ring heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, the remaining ring atoms being C, with the understanding that the attachment point of the heteroaryl radical will be on an aromatic ring. The heteroaryl ring may be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heteroaryl moieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, pyranyl, pyridinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrimidyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzothiopyranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzooxadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzopyranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, triazolyl, triazinyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolizinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, azepinyl, diazepinyl, acridinyl and the like.

“Heteroarylalkyl” and “heteroaralkyl”, which may be used interchangeably, mean a radical-R^(a)R^(b) where R^(a) is an alkylene group and R^(b) is a heteroaryl group as defined herein

The terms “halo” and “halogen”, which may be used interchangeably, refer to a substituent fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

“Haloalkyl” means alkyl as defined herein in which one or more hydrogen has been replaced with same or different halogen. Exemplary haloalkyls include —CH₂Cl, —CH₂CF₃, —CH₂CCl₃, perfluoroalkyl (e.g., —CF₃), and the like.

“Haloalkoxy” means a moiety of the formula —OR, wherein R is a haloalkyl moiety as defined herein. Examples of haloalkoxy moieties include, but are not limited to, trifluoromethoxy, difluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, and the like.

“Hydroxyalkyl” refers to a subset of heteroalkyl and refers in particular to an alkyl moiety as defined herein that is substituted with one or more, preferably one, two or three hydroxy groups, provided that the same carbon atom does not carry more than one hydroxy group. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, hydroxymethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethylethyl, 2,3-dihydroxybutyl, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl and 2-(hydroxymethyl)-3-hydroxypropyl

“Heterocycloamino” means a saturated ring wherein at least one ring atom is N, NH or N-alkyl and the remaining ring atoms form an alkylene group.

“Heterocyclyl” means a monovalent saturated moiety, consisting of one to three rings, incorporating one, two, three, or four heteroatoms (chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur). The heterocyclyl ring may be optionally substituted as defined herein. Examples of heterocyclyl moieties include, but are not limited to, optionally substituted piperidinyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, azepanyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, thiadiazolylidinyl, benzothiazolidinyl, benzoazolylidinyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinylsulfoxide, thiamorpholinylsulfone, dihydroquinolinyl, dihydrisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydrisoquinolinyl, and the like. Preferred heterocyclyl include tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl and pyrrolidinyl.

“Optionally substituted”, when used in association with “aryl”, “phenyl”, “heteroaryl” (including indolyl such as indol-1-yl, indol-2-yl and indol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydroindolyl such as 2,3-dihydroindol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydroindol-2-yl and 2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl, indazolyl such as indazol-1-yl, indazol-2-yl and indazol-3-yl, benzimidazolyl such as benzimidazol-1-yl and benzimidazol-2-yl, benzothiophenyl such as benzothiophen-2-yl and benzothiophen-3-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, thienyl, furanyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl and quinolinyl) or “heterocyclyl”, means an aryl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl which is optionally substituted independently with one to four substituents, preferably one or two substituents selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, cyano, nitro, heteroalkyl, amino, acylamino, mono-alkylamino, di-alkylamino, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, benzyloxy, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkoxy, cycloalkylalkoxy, alkylsulfonyloxy, optionally substituted thiophenyl, optionally substituted pyrazolyl, optionally substituted pyridinyl, morpholinocarbonyl, —(CH₂)_(q)—S(O)_(r)R^(f); —(CH₂)_(q)—NR^(g)R^(h); —(CH₂)_(q)—C(═O)—NR^(g)R^(h); —(CH₂)_(q)—C(═O)—C(═O)—NR^(g)R^(h); —(CH₂)_(q)—SO₂—NR^(g)R^(h); —(CH₂)_(q)—N(R^(f))—C(═O)—R^(i); —(CH₂)_(q)—C(═O)—R^(i); or —(CH₂)_(q)—N(R^(f))—SO₂—R^(g); where q is 0 or 1, r is from 0 to 2, R^(f), R^(g), and R^(h) each independently is hydrogen or alkyl, and each R^(i) is independently hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxy, or alkoxy. Certain preferred optional substituents for “aryl”, “phenyl”, “heteroaryl” “cycloalkyl” or “heterocyclyl” include alkyl, halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, cyano, amino and alkylsulfonyl. More preferred substituents are methyl, fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, amino and methanesulfonyl.

“Leaving group” means the group with the meaning conventionally associated with it in synthetic organic chemistry, i.e., an atom or group displaceable under substitution reaction conditions. Examples of leaving groups include, but are not limited to, halogen, alkane- or arylenesulfonyloxy, such as methanesulfonyloxy, ethanesulfonyloxy, thiomethyl, benzenesulfonyloxy, tosyloxy, and thienyloxy, dihalophosphinoyloxy, optionally substituted benzyloxy, isopropyloxy, acyloxy, and the like.

“Modulator” means a molecule that interacts with a target. The interactions include, but are not limited to, agonist, antagonist, and the like, as defined herein.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may but need not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

“Disease” and “Disease state” means any disease, condition, symptom, disorder or indication.

“Inert organic solvent” or “inert solvent” means the solvent is inert under the conditions of the reaction being described in conjunction therewith, including for example, benzene, toluene, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, chloroform, methylene chloride or dichloromethane, dichloroethane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, tert-butanol, dioxane, pyridine, and the like. Unless specified to the contrary, the solvents used in the reactions of the present invention are inert solvents.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable” means that which is useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition that is generally safe, non-toxic, and neither biologically nor otherwise undesirable and includes that which is acceptable for veterinary as well as human pharmaceutical use.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” of a compound means salts that are pharmaceutically acceptable, as defined herein, and that possess the desired pharmacological activity of the parent compound. Such salts include:

acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or formed with organic acids such as acetic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic, camphorsulfonic acid, citric acid, ethanesulfonic acid, fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxynaphtoic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, muconic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trimethylacetic acid, and the like; or

salts formed when an acidic proton present in the parent compound either is replaced by a metal ion, e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic or inorganic base. Acceptable organic bases include diethanolamine, ethanolamine, N-methylglucamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, and the like. Acceptable inorganic bases include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

The preferred pharmaceutically acceptable salts are the salts formed from acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, maleic acid, phosphoric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and magnesium.

“Protective group” or “protecting group” means the group which selectively blocks one reactive site in a multifunctional compound such that a chemical reaction can be carried out selectively at another unprotected reactive site in the meaning conventionally associated with it in synthetic chemistry. Certain processes of this invention rely upon the protective groups to block reactive nitrogen and/or oxygen atoms present in the reactants. For example, the terms “amino-protecting group” and “nitrogen protecting group” are used interchangeably herein and refer to those organic groups intended to protect the nitrogen atom against undesirable reactions during synthetic procedures. Exemplary nitrogen protecting groups include, but are not limited to, trifluoroacetyl, acetamido, benzyl (Bn), benzyloxycarbonyl(carbobenzyloxy, CBZ), p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), and the like. Skilled persons will know how to choose a group for the ease of removal and for the ability to withstand the following reactions.

“Solvates” means solvent addition forms that contain either stoichiometric or non stoichiometric amounts of solvent. Some compounds have a tendency to trap a fixed molar ratio of solvent molecules in the crystalline solid state, thus forming a solvate. If the solvent is water the solvate formed is a hydrate, when the solvent is alcohol, the solvate formed is an alcoholate. Hydrates are formed by the combination of one or more molecules of water with one of the substances in which the water retains its molecular state as H₂O, such combination being able to form one or more hydrate.

“Subject” means mammals and non-mammals. Mammals means any member of the mammalia class including, but not limited to, humans; non-human primates such as chimpanzees and other apes and monkey species; farm animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine; domestic animals such as rabbits, dogs, and cats; laboratory animals including rodents, such as rats, mice, and guinea pigs; and the like. Examples of non-mammals include, but are not limited to, birds, and the like. The term “subject” does not denote a particular age or sex.

“Disease states” associated with serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine neurotransmission include depressive and anxiolytic disorders, as well as schizophrenia and other psychoses, dyskinesias, drug addition, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorders such as ADHD, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, panic attacks, social phobias, eating disorders such as obesity, anorexia, bulimia and “binge-eating”, stress, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, seizure disorders such as epilepsy, and treatment of conditions associated with neurological damage resulting from stroke, brain trauma, cerebral ischaemia, head injury, haemorrhage, and disorders and disease states of the urinary tract. “Disease states” associated with serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine neurotransmission also include inflammation conditions in a subject. Compounds of the invention would be useful to treat arthritis, including but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions.

“Depression” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, major depression, long-term depression, treatment resistant depression, dysthymia, mental states of depressed mood characterised by feelings of sadness, despair, discouragement, “blues”, melancholy, feelings of low self esteem, guilt and self reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact, and somatic symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbances.

“Anxiety” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, unpleasant or undesirable emotional states associated with psychophysiological responses to anticipation of unreal, imagined or exaggerated danger or harm, and physical concomitants such as increased heart rate, altered respiration rate, sweating, trembling, weakness and fatigue, feelings of impending danger, powerlessness, apprehension and tension.

“Disorders of the urinary tract” or “uropathy” used interchangeably with “symptoms of the urinary tract” means the pathologic changes in the urinary tract. Examples of urinary tract disorders include, but are not limited to, stress incontinence, urge incontence, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, detrusor hyperreflexia, outlet obstruction, urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary urgency, overactive bladder, pelvic hypersensitivity, urethritis, prostatodynia, cystitis, idiophatic bladder hypersensitivity, and the like.

“Disease states associated with the urinary tract” or “urinary tract disease states” or “uropathy” used interchangeably with “symptoms of the urinary tract” mean the pathologic changes in the urinary tract, or dysfunction of urinary bladder smooth muscle or its innervation causing disordered urinary storage or voiding. Symptoms of the urinary tract include, but are not limited to, overactive bladder (also known as detrusor hyperactivity), outlet obstruction, outlet insufficiency, and pelvic hypersensitivity.

“Overactive bladder” or “detrusor hyperactivity” includes, but is not limited to, the changes symptomatically manifested as urgency, frequency, altered bladder capacity, incontinence, micturition threshold, unstable bladder contractions, sphincteric spasticity, detrusor hyperreflexia (neurogenic bladder), detrusor instability, and the like.

“Outlet obstruction” includes, but is not limited to, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), urethral stricture disease, tumors, low flow rates, difficulty in initiating urination, urgency, suprapubic pain, and the like.

“Outlet insufficiency” includes, but is not limited to, urethral hypermobility, intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, mixed incontinence, stress incontinence, and the like.

“Pelvic hypersensitivity” includes, but is not limited to, pelvic pain, interstitial (cell) cystitis, prostatodynia, prostatitis, vulvadynia, urethritis, orchidalgia, overactive bladder, and the like.

“Pain” means the more or less localized sensation of discomfort, distress, or agony, resulting from the stimulation of specialized nerve endings. There are many types of pain, including, but not limited to, lightning pains, phantom pains, shooting pains, acute pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain, neuralgia, neuropathy, and the like (Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 28^(th) Edition, W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pa.). The goal of treatment of pain is to reduce the degree of severity of pain perceived by a treatment subject.

“Neuropathic pain” means the pain resulting from functional disturbances and/or pathological changes as well as noninflammatory lesions in the peripheral nervous system. Examples of neuropathic pain include, but are not limited to, thermal or mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal or mechanical allodynia, diabetic pain, entrapment pain, and the like.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of a compound that, when administered to a subject for treating a disease state, is sufficient to effect such treatment for the disease state. The “therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound, disease state being treated, the severity or the disease treated, the age and relative health of the subject, the route and form of administration, the judgment of the attending medical or veterinary practitioner, and other factors.

The terms “those defined above” and “those defined herein” when referring to a variable incorporates by reference the broad definition of the variable as well as preferred, more preferred and most preferred definitions, if any.

“Treating” or “treatment” of a disease state includes:

-   -   (i) preventing the disease state, i.e. causing the clinical         symptoms of the disease state not to develop in a subject that         may be exposed to or predisposed to the disease state, but does         not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease state.     -   (ii) inhibiting the disease state, i.e., arresting the         development of the disease state or its clinical symptoms, or     -   (iii) relieving the disease state, i.e., causing temporary or         permanent regression of the disease state or its clinical         symptoms.

The terms “treating”, “contacting” and “reacting” when referring to a chemical reaction means adding or mixing two or more reagents under appropriate conditions to produce the indicated and/or the desired product. It should be appreciated that the reaction which produces the indicated and/or the desired product may not necessarily result directly from the combination of two reagents which were initially added, i.e., there may be one or more intermediates which are produced in the mixture which ultimately leads to the formation of the indicated and/or the desired product.

Nomenclature and Structures

In general, the nomenclature used in this Application is based on AUTONOM™ v.4.0, a Beilstein Institute computerized system for the generation of IUPAC systematic nomenclature. Chemical structures shown herein were prepared using ISIS® version 2.2. Any open valency appearing on a carbon, oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom in the structures herein indicates the presence of a hydrogen atom.

Whenever a chiral carbon is present in a chemical structure, it is intended that all stereoisomers associated with that chiral carbon are encompassed by the structure, so as to include specific enantiomers.

All patents and publications identified herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Compounds of the Invention

Representative compounds in accordance with the methods of the invention are shown in Table 1

TABLE 1 # Structure Name 1

Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(1- methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine 2

Cyclohexylmethyl-(1H-indol-5- yl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)- amine 3

Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 4

(3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-(1H- indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 5

Benzyl-(1H-indazol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 6

Benzyl-(1H-indazol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 7

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-phenethyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 8

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-phenethyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 9

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-benzyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 10

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl- amino)-benzo[b]thiophene-2- carboxylic acid amide 11

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2- methyl-benzyl)-piperidrn-4-yl- amine 12

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3- methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 13

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4- methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 14

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3- methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 15

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4- methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 16

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2- fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 17

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3- fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 18

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4- fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 19

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2- chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 20

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3- chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 21

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4- chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 22

2-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzonitrile 23

3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzonitrile 24

4-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzonitrile 25

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4- methanesulfonyl-benzyl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 26

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-(3- trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine 27

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-(4- trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine 28

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- naphthalen-1-ylmethyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 29

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- naphthalen-2-ylmethyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 30

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- cyclopropylmethyl-piperidin-4- yl-amine 31

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(1- phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 32

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-(2-methyl- benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 33

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy- benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 34

(2-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 35

(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 36

(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 37

(2-Chloro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 38

2-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzonitrile 39

3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzonitrile 40

4-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzonitrile 41

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- (3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)- amine 42

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- (4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)- amine 43

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-1- ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine 44

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-2- ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine 45

Cyclopropylmethyl-(1H-indol- 5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 46

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-isobutyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 47

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-(1-phenyl- ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 48

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- (tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)- amine 49

(8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)- benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amine 50

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl- amino)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile 51

Benzyl-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 52

Benzyl-(7-chloro-1H-indol-5- yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 53

(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indazol- 5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 54

(1H-Indazol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy- benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine 55

5-[(3-Cyano-benzyl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]benzo[b]thiophene- 2-carboxylic acid amide 56

3-{[(1H-Indazol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzonitrile 57

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl- amino)-benzo[b]thiophene-2- carbonitrile 58

(1H-Benzotriazol-5-yl)-benzyl- piperidin-4-yl-amine 59

(1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol- 5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl- amine 60

3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzamide 61

3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzoic acid 62

(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)- methanol 63

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl- amino)-1H-indole-2-sulfonic acid amide 64

(1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3- methanesulfonyl-benzyl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 65

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3- methanesulfonyl-benzyl)- piperidin-4-yl-amine 66

3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- benzenesulfonamide 67

N-{3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]- phenyl}-methanesulfonamide 68

Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl- piperidin-4-yl-(tetrahydro- pyran-4-ylmethyl)-amine 69

3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzenesulfonamide 70

N-(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}- phenyl)-methanesulfonamide 71

3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzamide 72

(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1-methyl- 1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 73

(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-(1-methyl- 1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 74

(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1-methyl- 1H-indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl- amine 75

3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin- 4-yl-amino]-methyl}-N,N- dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide 76

3-{[(1-Methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)- piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}- benzenesulfonamide Synthesis

Compounds of the present invention can be made by a variety of methods depicted in the illustrative synthetic reaction schemes shown and described below.

The starting materials and reagents used in preparing these compounds generally are either available from commercial suppliers, such as Aldrich Chemical Co., or are prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art following procedures set forth in references such as Fieser and Fieser's Reagents for Organic Synthesis; Wiley & Sons: New York, 1991, Volumes 1-15; Rodd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds, Elsevier Science Publishers, 1989, Volumes 1-5 and Supplementals; and Organic Reactions, Wiley & Sons: New York, 1991, Volumes 1-40. The following synthetic reaction schemes are merely illustrative of some methods by which the compounds of the present invention can be synthesized, and various modifications to these synthetic reaction schemes can be made and will be suggested to one skilled in the art having referred to the disclosure contained in this Application.

The starting materials and the intermediates of the synthetic reaction schemes can be isolated and purified if desired using conventional techniques, including but not limited to, filtration, distillation, crystallization, chromatography, and the like. Such materials can be characterized using conventional means, including physical constants and spectral data.

Unless specified to the contrary, the reactions described herein preferably are conducted under an inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure at a reaction temperature range of from about −78° C. to about 150° C., more preferably from about 0° C. to about 125° C., and most preferably and conveniently at about room (or ambient) temperature, e.g., about 20° C.

Utility

The compounds of the invention are usable for the treatment of diseases or conditions associated with serotonin neurotransmission, norepinephrine neuortransmission and/or dopamine neurotransmission. Such diseases and conditions include depressive and anxiolytic disorders, as well as schizophrenia and other psychoses, dyskinesias, drug addition, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorders such as ADHD, obsessive-compulsive behaviour, panic attacks, social phobias, eating disorders such as obesity, anorexia, bulimia and “binge-eating”, stress, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, seizure disorders such as epilepsy, and treatment of conditions associated with neurological damage resulting from stroke, brain trauma, cerebral ischaemia, head injury, and haemorrhage.

The compounds of the invention are also usable for treatment of disorders and disease states of the urinary tract such as stress incontinence, urge incontinence, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, detrusor hyperreflexia, outlet obstruction, urinary frequency, nocturia, urinary urgency, overactive bladder, pelvic hypersensitivity, urethritis, prostatodynia, cystitis, idiophatic bladder hypersensitivity.

The compounds of the invention also possess anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic properties in vivo, and accordingly, are expected to find utility in the treatment of disease states associated with pain conditions from a wide variety of causes, including, but not limited to, neuropathic pain, inflammatory pain, surgical pain, visceral pain, dental pain, premenstrual pain, central pain, pain due to burns, migraine or cluster headaches, nerve injury, neuritis, neuralgias, poisoning, ischemic injury, interstitial cystitis, cancer pain, viral, parasitic or bacterial infection, post-traumatic injuries (including fractures and sports injuries), and pain associated with functional bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Compounds of the invention are also useful for treatment of arthritis, including but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, gouty arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions.

Administration and Pharmaceutical Composition

The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound of the present invention, or an individual isomer, racemic or non-racemic mixture of isomers or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally other therapeutic and/or prophylactic ingredients.

In general, the compounds of the invention will be administered in a therapeutically effective amount by any of the accepted modes of administration for agents that serve similar utilities. Suitable dosage ranges are typically 1-500 mg daily, preferably 1-100 mg daily, and most preferably 1-30 mg daily, depending upon numerous factors such as the severity of the disease to be treated, the age and relative health of the subject, the potency of the compound used, the route and form of administration, the indication towards which the administration is directed, and the preferences and experience of the medical practitioner involved. One of ordinary skill in the art of treating such diseases will be able, without undue experimentation and in reliance upon personal knowledge and the disclosure of this Application, to ascertain a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of the present invention for a given disease.

Compounds of the invention may be administered as pharmaceutical formulations including those suitable for oral (including buccal and sub-lingual), rectal, nasal, topical, pulmonary, vaginal, or parenteral (including intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal, subcutaneous and intravenous) administration or in a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation. The preferred manner of administration is generally oral using a convenient daily dosage regimen which can be adjusted according to the degree of affliction.

A compound or compounds of the invention, together with one or more conventional adjuvants, carriers, or diluents, may be placed into the form of pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosages. The pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms may be comprised of conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additional active compounds or principles, and the unit dosage forms may contain any suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range to be employed. The pharmaceutical compositions may be employed as solids, such as tablets or filled capsules, semisolids, powders, sustained release formulations, or liquids such as solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, or filled capsules for oral use; or in the form of suppositories for rectal or vaginal administration; or in the form of sterile injectable solutions for parenteral use. Formulations containing about one (1) milligram of active ingredient or, more broadly, about 0.01 to about one hundred (100) milligrams, per tablet, are accordingly suitable representative unit dosage forms.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated in a wide variety of oral administration dosage forms. The pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms may comprise a compound or compounds of the present invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as the active component. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers may be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules. A solid carrier may be one or more substances which may also act as diluents, flavouring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, preservatives, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material. In powders, the carrier generally is a finely divided solid which is a mixture with the finely divided active component. In tablets, the active component generally is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain from about one (1) to about seventy (70) percent of the active compound. Suitable carriers include but are not limited to magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatine, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term “preparation” is intended to include the formulation of the active compound with encapsulating material as carrier, providing a capsule in which the active component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is in association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges may be as solid forms suitable for oral administration.

Other forms suitable for oral administration include liquid form preparations including emulsions, syrups, elixirs, aqueous solutions, aqueous suspensions, or solid form preparations which are intended to be converted shortly before use to liquid form preparations. Emulsions may be prepared in solutions, for example, in aqueous propylene glycol solutions or may contain emulsifying agents, for example, such as lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia. Aqueous solutions can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavors, stabilizers, and thickening agents. Aqueous suspensions can be prepared by dispersing the finely divided active component in water with viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and other well known suspending agents. Solid form preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, and may contain, in addition to the active component, colorants, flavors, stabilizers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, and the like.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for parenteral administration (e.g., by injection, for example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, for example solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol. Examples of oily or nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehicles include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils (e.g., olive oil), and injectable organic esters (e.g., ethyl oleate), and may contain formulatory agents such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying or suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of sterile solid or by lyophilization from solution for constitution before use with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for topical administration to the epidermis as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will in general also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or coloring agents. Formulations suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising active agents in a flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatine and glycerine or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for administration as suppositories. A low melting wax, such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter is first melted and the active component is dispersed homogeneously, for example, by stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowed to cool, and to solidify.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for vaginal administration. Pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

The subject compounds may be formulated for nasal administration. The solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity by conventional means, for example, with a dropper, pipette or spray. The formulations may be provided in a single or multidose form. In the latter case of a dropper or pipette, this may be achieved by the patient administering an appropriate, predetermined volume of the solution or suspension. In the case of a spray, this may be achieved for example by means of a metering atomizing spray pump.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for aerosol administration, particularly to the respiratory tract and including intranasal administration. The compound will generally have a small particle size for example of the order of five (5) microns or less. Such a particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example by micronization. The active ingredient is provided in a pressurized pack with a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), for example, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoroethane, or carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. The aerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin. The dose of drug may be controlled by a metered valve. Alternatively the active ingredients may be provided in a form of a dry powder, for example a powder mix of the compound in a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP). The powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unit dose form for example in capsules or cartridges of e.g., gelatine or blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of an inhaler.

When desired, formulations can be prepared with enteric coatings adapted for sustained or controlled release administration of the active ingredient. For example, the compounds of the present invention can be formulated in transdermal or subcutaneous drug delivery devices. These delivery systems are advantageous when sustained release of the compound is necessary and when patient compliance with a treatment regimen is crucial. Compounds in transdermal delivery systems are frequently attached to a skin-adhesive solid support. The compound of interest can also be combined with a penetration enhancer, e.g., Azone (1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one). Sustained release delivery systems are inserted subcutaneously into the subdermal layer by surgery or injection. The subdermal implants encapsulate the compound in a lipid soluble membrane, e.g., silicone rubber, or a biodegradable polymer, e.g., polylactic acid.

The pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation, such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form.

Other suitable pharmaceutical carriers and their formulations are described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 1995, edited by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Company, 19th edition, Easton, Pa. Representative pharmaceutical formulations containing a compound of the present invention are described below.

EXAMPLES

The following preparations and examples are given to enable those skilled in the art to more clearly understand and to practice the present invention. They should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, but merely as being illustrative and representative thereof.

Whenever a chiral carbon is present in a chemical structure, it is intended that all stereoisomers associated with that chiral carbon are encompassed by the structure, so as to include specific enantiomers.

The following abbreviations may be used in the Examples.

ABBREVIATIONS ACE-Cl α-Chloroethyl chloroformate AcOH Acetic acid Bn Benzyl (BOC)₂O Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate t-BuLi tert-Butyllithium t-BuOH tert-Butyl alcohol m-CPBA 3-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid DCE 1,2-Dichloroethane DCM Dichloromethane/methylene chloride DEA Diethylamine DIPEA Diisopropylethylamine DIBALH Diisobutylaluminum hydride DMAP 4-Dimethylaminopyridine DMF N,N-Dimethylformamide DMP Dess Martin Periodinane (acetic acid 1,1-diacetoxy-3- oxo-1lambda*5*-ioda-2-oxa-indan-1-yl ester) DMSO Dimethyl sulphoxide Dppf 1 ,1'-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene EDC 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride EtOAc Ethyl acetate HPLC High pressure liquid chromatography HOBt 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole LAH Lithium aluminum hydride LHMDS Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide MeOH Methanol MsCl Methanesulfonyl chloride NMP 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone NBS N-Bromosuccinimide PFBSF Perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride PPTS Pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate TBAF Tetrabutylammonium fluoride TBAHS Tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate TBDMS tert-Butyldimethylsilyl TMSI Iodotrimethylsilane TEA Triethylamine TIPS Triisopropylsilyl TFA Trifluoroacetic acid THF Tetrahydrofuran TLC Thin layer chromatography TMAF Tetramethylammonium fluoride TMS Trimethylsilyl p-TsOH p-Toluenesulfonic acid

Preparation 1. 4-(1H-Indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. The synthetic procedure described in this Preparation was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme A.

Glacial acetic acid (1.3 mL, 22.7 mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (6.73 g, 31.7 mmol) were added to a solution of 5-aminoindole (3 g, 22.7 mmol), 4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.52 g, 22.7 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (100 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours at room temperature; an aqueous solution of NaOH (1 M, 100 mL) was then added. The organic layer was separated, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 6.9 g (96% yield) of 4-(1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as a black foam; this material was used without further purifications for the next step.

In a similar manner, using the appropriate starting material, the following compounds were prepared: 4-(1H-Indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (96% yield); 4-(1H-Indazol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (65% yield); 3-(1H-Indol-5-ylamino)-8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-8-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (91% yield); 4-(7-Chloro-1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (quantitative yield), using 7-chloro-1H-indol-5-ylamine (prepared as described in Preparation 2); 4-(1-Methyl-1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (brown foam, 97% yield); 4-(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (red solid, 97% yield); 5-(1-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-ylamino)-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (off-white foam, 14% yield), using 5-amino-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (prepared as described in Preparation 4); 4-(2-Carbamoyl-benzo[b]thiophen-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (yellow solid, 24% yield), using 5-amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide (prepared as described in Preparation 5); 3-(1H-Indol-5-ylamino)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester; 4-(1H-Benzotriazol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester; and 3-(1H-Indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Preparation 2. 7-Chloro-1H-indol-5-ylamine. The synthetic procedure described in this Preparation was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme B.

Pd/C (DeGussa catalyst) (192 mg) was added to a solution of 7-chloro-5-nitro-1H-indole (Synthesis 2004, 4, 610-618) (765 mg, 3.9 mmol) in EtOH (15 mL) at room temperature and the reaction mixture was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere (1 atm.) for 3 hours. The catalyst was then filtered off on a celite pad and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a dark oil. This crude material was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 20% of MeOH in DCM) to give 648 mg (60% yield) of 7-chloro-1H-indol-5-ylamine.

Preparation 3. 3-Bromomethyl-N,N-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide. The synthetic procedure described in this Preparation was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme C.

N-Bromosuccinimide (1.93 g, 10.85 mmol) and benzoylperoxide (20 mg) were added to a stirring solution of 3-N,N-trimethyl-benzenesulfonamide (prepared as described in WO 91/09838) (1.8 g, 9.05 mmol) in CCl₄ (15 mL). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 4 hours; it was then cooled to room temperature and a second aliquot of N-bromosuccinimide (1 equivalent) and benzoylperoxide (30 mg) were added. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 2 hours, it was then cooled to room temperature and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography (10% to 60% of EtOAc in hexane) to give 1.14 g (46% yield) of 3-bromomethyl-N,N-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide.

Preparation 4. 5-Amino-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. The synthetic procedure described in this Preparation was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme D.

Step 1. 5-Nitro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. Triethylamine (3.1 mL, 22.2 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (226 mg, 1.85 mmol) were added to a solution of 5-nitro-1H-indole (3 g, 18.5 mmol) in DCM (30 mL) at 0° C., di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (4.3 g, 19.7 mmol) was then added. The resulting mixture was warmed to room temperature and it was stirred overnight, it was then quenched by addition of water and extracted with DCM. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure; the crude residue was filtered through a silica pad and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 4.77 g (98% yield) of 5-nitro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Step 2. 5-Amino-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. Pd/C (DeGussa catalyst) (1.5 g) was added to a suspension of 5-nitro-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (4.77 g) in EtOH (100 mL) at room temperature and the reaction mixture was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere (balloon pressure) for 6 hours. The catalyst was then filtered off on a celite pad and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 4.15 g (98% yield) of 5-amino-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as a white powder.

Preparation 5. 5-Amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile and 5-Amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide. The synthetic procedure described in this Preparation was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme E.

Step 1. 5-Nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide and 5-Nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile. A solution of trimethylaluminum (2.0 M in toluene, 12.7 mL, 25.3 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of NH₄Cl (1.35 g, 25.3 mmol) in benzene (25 mL) at 0° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was warmed to room temperature and it was stirred for 1.5 hours, a suspension of (5-nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (2 g, 8.4 mmol) (Synthetic Communications 1991, 21 (7), 959-964) in benzene (45 mL) was then added and the resulting mixture was stirred at reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was then quenched by addition of water (20 mL) followed by EtOAc (100 mL); the resulting mixture was stirred for 10 minutes and it was then filtered through a celite pad. The filter cake was washed with a mixture of DCM/MeOH (9/1, 100 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (30% to 80% of EtOAc in hexane) to give 355 mg of 5-nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile as a red solid and 175 mg of 5-nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide as a yellow solid.

Step 2. 5-Amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile. A suspension of 5-nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile (153 mg) and Pd/C (10%, 20 mg) in a mixture of MeOH/1,4-dioxane (1/1, 30 mL) was shaken in a Parr apparatus under hydrogen atmosphere (55 PSI) for 2 hours. The catalyst was then filtered off on a celite pad and the filter cake was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (20% EtOAc in hexane) to give 73 mg (56% yield) of 5-amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile as a yellow solid.

Step 3. 5-Amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide. A suspension of 5-nitro-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide (170 mg) and Pd/C (10%, 34 mg) in a mixture of MeOH/1,4-dioxane (1/1, 30 mL) was shaken in a Parr apparatus under hydrogen atmosphere (55 PSI) for 2 hours. The catalyst was then filtered off on a celite pad and the filter cake was washed with MeOH. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 164 mg of 5-amino-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide as a yellow solid without further purifications.

Example 1

The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme F.

The alkyl or aryl bromide (0.127 mmol) was added to a solution of 4-(1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (20 mg, 0.063 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (22 μL, 0.127 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated in a sealable tube at 100° C. for 16 hours; it was then cooled and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in DCM (1.0 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.1 mL) was added, the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours; it was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by preparative HPLC (on a Zorbex SB-Phenyl column, water+1% TFA(v/v) (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B), A/B 90/10 to 10/90 in 5 min., A/B10/90@7 min., A/B 40/60@7.5 min., A/B 90/10@7.75, A/B 90/10@8.5 min., 1 ml/min).

Utilizing the above described procedure the following compounds were prepared: (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(2-methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=320 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=336 [M+H]⁺; (2-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=324 [M+H]⁺; (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=324 [M+H]⁺; (4-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=324 [M+H]⁺; (2-Chloro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=340 [M+H]⁺; 2-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=331 [M+H]⁺; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=331 [M+H]⁺; 4-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile trifluoracetate, MS=331 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=390 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=390 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=356 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=356 [M+H]⁺; and (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=320 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2

Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme G.

Step 1. 4-[Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. 4-(1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.0 g, 6.34 mmol), benzyl bromide (1.5 mL, 12.7 mmol), triethylamine (1.77 mL, 12.7 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (77.5 mg, 0.634 mmol) in DMF (2.0 mL) were heated in a sealable tube at 100° C. for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled, diluted with water and extracted 3 times with EtOAc (50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed twice with brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 2.57 g (93% yield) of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester without further purifications.

In a similar manner, using the appropriate starting material, the following compounds were prepared: 4-[Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (73% yield); 4-[(3-Cyano-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (58% yield); 4-[Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-cyano-benzyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (light brown foam); and 4-[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methoxycarbonyl-benzyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (16% yield).

Step 2. Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate. Trifluoroacetic acid (4.55 mL, 59 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.38 g, 5.9 mmol) in DCM (150 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 hours, the solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 25% of MeOH in DCM) to give 1.69 g (94% yield) of benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=306 [M+H]⁺.

Similarly prepared, using the above described procedure and the appropriate starting material, were: Benzyl-(1H-indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoacetate (63% yield), MS=307 [M+H]⁺; (3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate (94% yield), MS=373 [M+H]⁺; (8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=332 [M+H]⁺; Benzyl-(7-chloro-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate (92% yield), MS=340 [M+H]⁺; (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=325 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indazol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=337 [M+H]⁺; 3-{[(1H-Indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile, MS=332 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methanesulfonyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine (89% yield), MS=384 [M+H]⁺; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzenesulfonamide trifluoroacetate, MS=385 [M+H]⁺; N-(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide trifluoroacetate, using N-(3-chlorometyl-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide, MS=399 [M+H]⁺; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-N,N-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide, using 3-bromomethyl-N,N-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide (prepared as described in Preparation 3), MS=413 [M+H]⁺; 3-{[(1-Methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzenesulfonamide, using 4-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-ylamino)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (prepared as described in Preparation 1), MS=399 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine hydrochloride, using HCl in Et₂O to generate the hydrochloride salt, MS=323 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2-methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=337 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=337 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4-methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=337 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=353 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=353 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=341 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=341 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=341 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(2-chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=357 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=357 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4-chloro-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=357 [M+H]⁺; 2-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=348 [M+H]⁺; 3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=348 [M+H]⁺; 4-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=348 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(4-methanesulfonyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=401 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=407 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=407 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=373 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=373 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=337 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-ciclopropylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=287 [M+H]⁺; N-{3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-phenyl}-methanesulfonamide trifluoroacetate, white powder, MS=416 [M+H]⁺; Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-methanesulfonyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine, colorless foam, MS=401 [M+H]⁺; 5-[(3-Cyano-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide, yellow foam, MS=391 [M+H]⁺; 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxylic acid amide, yellow solid, MS=366 [M+H]⁺; 3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzenesulfonamide, MS=402 [M+H]⁺; 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonitrile, yellow foam, (100 equivalents of TFA were used), MS=348 [M+H]⁺; Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-pyrrolidin-3-yl-amine, MS=292 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine, MS=320 [M+H]⁺; (1H-Benzotriazol-5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=308 [M+H]⁺; Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-3-yl-amine, MS=306 [M+H]⁺; and the 2 corresponding enantiomers separated by chiral HPLC (Chiralpak IA preparative column (30 mm×250 mm, 10 micron particle size), 1/1 Hexanes/Ethanol+0.1% DEA, 17 ml/min, run time 30 minutes): Enantiomer A: α_(D)=+2° (c=0.250 g/100 mL, MeOH); and Enantiomer B: α_(D)=−3° (c=0.250 g/100 mL, MeOH).

Example 3

Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme H.

A mixture of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (100 mg, 0.265 mmol) and lithium aluminum hydride (1.0 M in THF, 1.06 mL) in THF (5.0 mL) was heated under nitrogen atmosphere to reflux. After 2.5 hours the reaction mixture was cooled and quenched by addition of Na₂SO₄.10H₂O. The resulting mixture was filtered and the inorganic salts were washed with a mixture of MeOH and DCM. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue was purified by flash chromatography to give 54.3 mg (64% yield) of benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine, MS=320 [M+H]⁺.

Example 4

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile trifluoroacetate. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme I.

Step 1. 4-[Benzyl-(3-formyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. Oxalyl chloride (31 μL, 0.363 mmol) was added to a stirring solution of DMF (30 μL, 0.381 mmol) in 1,2-dichlorethane, at 0° C., under nitrogen atmosphere and the resulting mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. A solution of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (70 mg, 0.173 mmol) in 1,2-dichlorethane was then added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 45 minutes. An aqueous solution of NaOH (2 M, 10 mL) was then added and the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes; it was then extracted twice with EtOAc (10 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (20 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give 62 mg (84% yield) of 4-[benzyl-(3-formyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as a yellow foam that was used without further purifications.

Step 2. 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile trifluoroacetate. To a sealable tube containing 4-[benzyl-(3-formyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (62 mg, 0.143 mmol) in THF was added a solution of ammonia (2 M in i-PrOH, 1.1 mL, 2.15 mmol) followed by MgSO₄ (259 mg, 2.15 mmol). After stirring for 15 minutes MnO₂ (187 mg, 2.15 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred sealed for 16 hours; it was then diluted with DCM and filtered on a celite pad. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure; the residue was dissolved in DCM (3 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.22 mL, 2.86 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, it was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 25% of MeOH in DCM) to give 12 mg (26% 2 steps yield) of 5-(benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile trifluoroacetate, MS=331 [M+H]⁺.

Example 5

Benzyl-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme J.

NaH (60% in mineral oil, 30 mg, 0.74 mmol) was added to a solution of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (150 mg, 0.37 mmol) in DMF (1.0 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour and then methyliodide (0.06 mL, 0.93 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 2 hours and it was then quenched by addition of a saturated aqueous solution of NH₄Cl. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with EtOAc (20 mL); the combined organic extracts were washed with brine (50 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow foam. This residue was dissolved in DCM (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (0.29 mL, 3.7 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours; it was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 20% of MeOH in DCM) to give 115 mg (97% yield) of benzyl-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=320 [M+H]⁺.

Similarly prepared, using the appropriate starting material, were: (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine (17% yield), MS=338 [M+H]⁺; (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1-methyl-1H-indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine, MS=339 [M+H]⁺; and (3-Methoxy-benzyl)-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine (46% yield), MS=350 [M+H]⁺.

Example 6

(1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme J.

Step 1. 4-[(1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. An aqueous solution of NaOH (50%, 8 mL) was added to a solution of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.0 g, 2.47 mmol) and tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate (126 mg, 0.371 mmol) in toluene (8 mL) at 0° C.; benzenesulfonyl chloride (0.47 mL, 3.7 mmol) was then added. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and it was stirred for 3 hours; it was then quenched by addition of water (20 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with EtOAc (50 mL); the combined organic extracts were washed with brine (20 mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow solid. This crude material was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 10% of MeOH in DCM) to give 1.15 g (85% yield) of 4-[(1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Step 2. (1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate. Trifluoroacetic acid (0.78 mL, 10.1 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of 4-[(1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (550 mg, 1.01 mmol) in DCM (20 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight, the solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by filtration on a silica plug to give 248 mg (55% yield) of (1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine trifluoroacetate, MS=446 [M+H]⁺.

Example 7

5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-2-sulfonic acid amide. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme K.

Step 1. 5-[Benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. Triethylamine (0.18 mL, 1.27 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (18 mg, 0.106 mmol) were added at 0° C. to a solution of 4-[benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (430 mg, 1.06 mmol) and they were followed by the addition of di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (243.4 mg, 1.11 mmol). The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and it was stirred overnight; it was then quenched by addition of water. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with DCM; the combined organic extracts were filtered through a silica plug and evaporated to give 481 mg (90% yield) of 5-[benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as an off-white foam.

Step 2. 5-[Benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-2-sulfamoyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. n-Butyllithium (2.0 M in hexane, 0.51 mL, 1.01 mmol) was added, at −78° C., under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of 5-[benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (480 mg, 0.95 mmol) in THF (15 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 2 hours. Gaseous SO₂ was then bubbled through the reaction mixture for 20 minutes and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. and 1 hour at room temperature. The resulting red solution was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a yellow foam which was dissolved in DCM (20 mL). N-Chlorosuccinimide (135 mg, 1.01 mmol) was then added at 0° C. and the resulting mixture was stirred for 1 hour and stored at −18° C. for 2 days. The solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in THF (20 mL). The resulting solution was cooled to 0° C. and gaseous dry ammonia was bubbled through it for 20 minutes. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 25% of MeOH in DCM) to give 286 mg of 5-[benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-2-sulfamoyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester.

Step 3. 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-2-sulfonic acid amide. 5-[Benzyl-(1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amino]-2-sulfamoyl-indole-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (200 mg) was heated under vacuum with a heat gun for 5 minutes, while gas evolution was observed. A sample of the cooled mixture was analyzed showing that the deprotection of a single BOC group has occurred. The material was then dissolved in DCM and trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours, the solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure, the residue was dissolved in a mixture of MeOH/DCM (30/70)+0.5% of NH₄OH and it was filtered through a silica plug. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue was purified through preparative HPLC (Agilent Technologies Zorbax SB-Phenyl column (21.2 mm inner diameter by 100 mm length, 7 micron particle size), water (0.1% TFA added)/acetonitrile 90/10 gradient to 5/95 over 10 minutes at 20 ml/min flow rate) to give 5-(benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-2-sulfonic acid amide, MS=385 [M+H]⁺.

Example 8

3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzamide trifluoroacetate. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme L.

A solution of NaOH (54 mg, 1.35 mmol) in water (0.2 mL) was added to a solution of 4-[(3-cyano-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (115 mg, 0.27 mmol) (prepared as described in Example 2 Step 1) in EtOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 16 hours, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (0% to 25% of MeOH in DCM) to give 4-[(3-carbamoyl-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. This material was dissolved in DCM (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (1 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 hours, it was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was basified by addition of an aqueous solution of NH₄OH. The crude material was purified first by flash chromatography and then by preparative HPLC (Agilent Technologies Zorbax SB-Phenyl column (21.2 mm inner diameter by 100 mm length, 7 micron particle size), water (0.1% TFA added)/acetonitrile 75/25 gradient to 5/95 over 10 minutes at 20 ml/min flow rate) to give the desired 3-{[(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzamide trifluoroacetate, MS=349 [M+H]⁺.

In a similar manner, using the appropriate starting material, the following compounds were prepared: 3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzamide, MS=366 [M+H]⁺; and 3-[(Benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-methyl]-benzoic acid trifluoroacetate, gray powder, MS=367 [M+H]⁺.

Example 9

(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanol trifluoroacetate. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme N.

A solution of lithium aluminum hydride (1.0 M, 0.24 mL, 0.24 mmol) was added at 0° C. to a solution of 4-[benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-carboxy-benzyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (55 mg, 0.12 mmol) in THF (2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour and it was then quenched by addition of water, MeOH (1 drop) and an aqueous solution of KOH (15%, 2 drops). The resulting mixture was stirred for 15 minutes and it was filtered over a celite pad. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue was purified by preparative TLC (6/4, hexane/EtOAc) to give 20 mg of 4-[benzo[b]thiophen-5-yl-(3-hydroxymethyl-benzyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as a colorless oil. This material was dissolved in DCM (2 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (100 μL) was added, the resulting mixture was stirred overnight. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was triturated with Et₂O to give 3 mg of 3-{[(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanol trifluoroacetate as a gray powder.

Example 10

(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanol. The synthetic procedure described in this Example was carried out according to the process shown in Scheme O.

Trifluoroacetic acid (0.5 mL) was added to a solution of 4-[(1H-indol-5-yl)-(3-methoxycarbonyl-benzyl)-amino]-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (210 mg, 0.453 mmol) in DCM (2.0 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours, the solvent was then evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in DCM, a mixture of MeOH/NH₄OH (9.5/0.5) was then added. The resulting mixture was filtered through a celite and silica pad and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in THF (5.0 mL) and a solution of lithium aluminum hydride (1.0 M in THF, 1.81 mL, 1.81 mmol) was added under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and it was then quenched by addition of Na₂SO₄.10H₂O. The resulting mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 13.2 mg (9% yield) of (3-{[(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanol, MS=336 [M+H]⁺.

Formulations

Example 11

Pharmaceutical preparations for delivery by various routes are formulated as shown in the following Tables. “Active ingredient” or “Active compound” as used in the Tables means one or more of the Compounds of Formulae I-II.

Composition for Oral Administration Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 20.0% Lactose 79.5% Magnesium stearate 0.5%

The ingredients are mixed and dispensed into capsules containing about 100 mg each; one capsule would approximate a total daily dosage.

Composition for Oral Administration Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 20.0% Magnesium stearate 0.5% Crosscarmellose sodium 2.0% Lactose 76.5% PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidine) 1.0%

The ingredients are combined and granulated using a solvent such as methanol. The formulation is then dried and formed into tablets (containing about 20 mg of active compound) with an appropriate tablet machine.

Composition for Oral Administration Ingredient Amount Active compound 1.0 g Fumaric acid 0.5 g Sodium chloride 2.0 g Methyl paraben 0.15 g Propyl paraben 0.05 g Granulated sugar 25.5 g Sorbitol (70% solution) 12.85 g Veegum K (Vanderbilt Co.) 1.0 g Flavoring 0.035 ml Colorings 0.5 mg Distilled water q.s. to 100 ml

The ingredients are mixed to form a suspension for oral administration.

Parenteral Formulation Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 0.25 g Sodium Chloride qs to make isotonic Water for injection 100 ml

The active ingredient is dissolved in a portion of the water for injection. A sufficient quantity of sodium chloride is then added with stirring to make the solution isotonic. The solution is made up to weight with the remainder of the water for injection, filtered through a 0.2 micron membrane filter and packaged under sterile conditions.

Suppository Formulation Ingredient % wt./wt. Active ingredient 1.0% Polyethylene glycol 1000 74.5% Polyethylene glycol 4000 24.5%

The ingredients are melted together and mixed on a steam bath, and poured into molds containing 2.5 g total weight.

Topical Formulation Ingredients grams Active compound 0.2-2 Span 60 2 Tween 60 2 Mineral oil 5 Petrolatum 10 Methyl paraben 0.15 Propyl paraben 0.05 BHA (butylated hydroxy anisole) 0.01 Water q.s. 100

All of the ingredients, except water, are combined and heated to about 60° C. with stirring. A sufficient quantity of water at about 60° C. is then added with vigorous stirring to emulsify the ingredients, and water then added q.s. about 100 g.

Nasal Spray Formulations

Several aqueous suspensions containing from about 0.025-0.5 percent active compound are prepared as nasal spray formulations. The formulations optionally contain inactive ingredients such as, for example, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, dextrose, and the like. Hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH. The nasal spray formulations may be delivered via a nasal spray metered pump typically delivering about 50-100 microliters of formulation per actuation. A typical dosing schedule is 2-4 sprays every 4-12 hours.

Example 12 Screening for Human Serotonin Transporter (hSERT) Antagonists Using a Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA)

The screening assay of this example was used to determine the affinity of ligands at the hSERT transporter by competition with [³H]-Citalopram.

Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) works by bringing radioligand within close proximity to the bead's scintillant to stimulate light emission. In this assay, the receptor-containing membranes were pre-coupled to the SPA beads and the binding of the appropriate radioligand to the transporter was measured. The light emission was proportional to the amount of bound radioligand. Unbound radioligand produced no signal as a result of distant proximity to scintillant (lack of energy transfer).

HEK-293 cells (Tatsumi et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1997, 30, 249-258) stably expressing recombinant hSERT were maintained with media (DMEM high glucose with 10% FBS, 300 μg/ml G418 and 2 mM L-Glutamine) and incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. Cells are released from culture flasks using PBS for 1-2 minutes. The cells were subsequently centrifuged at 1000 g's for 5 minutes and resuspended in PBS prior to being used in the membrane preparation.

Cell membranes were prepared using a membrane preparation buffer of 50 mM TRIS (pH 7.4). Cell membranes were prepared from a single cube (7.5×10⁹ cells total). Cells were homogenized using a Polytron (setting medium for a 4 second burst). The homogenate was then centrifuged at 48,000×g for 15 minutes, the supernatant subsequently removed and discarded, and the pellet resuspended with fresh buffer. After a second centrifugation, the pellet was re-homogenized and brought to a final volume determined during the assay. Typically, membrane portions were aliquoted in 3 mg/ml (w:v). and stored at −80° C.

For Scintillation Proximity Assay IC₅₀/K_(i) determination, 50 mM Tris-HCl and 300 mM NaCl, (pH 7.4) buffers were utilized. Compounds of the invention were diluted from 10 mM to 0.1 nM FAC (10 point curves, whole log/half log dilutions) via a Beckman Biomek 2000 using a serial dilution protocol. The test compounds were then transferred (20 μl/well) and the [³H]-Citalopram radioligand was added at 50 μl/well. Membrane and beads were prepared to a ratio of 10 μg:0.7 mg, with 0.7 mg PVT-WGA Amersham beads (Cat# RPQ0282V) added per well. 130 μl of the membrane:bead mixture was added to the assay plate. The mixtures were allowed to stand at room temperature for one hour, and were then counted on a Packard TopCount LCS, a generic Scintillation Proximity Assay counting protocol settings (Energy Range: Low, Efficiency Mode: Normal, Region A: 1.50-35.00, Region B: 1.50-256.00, Count Time (min.): 0.40, Background Subtract: none, Half-Life Correction: no, Quench Indicator: tSIS, Platemap blank subtraction: No, Cross talk reduction: Off).

The % inhibition was calculated for each compound tested [(Compound counts per minute (CPM) at maximum concentration-Non-Specific CPM)/Total CPM*100]. The concentration producing 50% inhibition (IC₅₀) was determined using an iterative non-linear curve fitting technique with Activity Base/Xlfit using the following equation:

$y = {\frac{\max - \min}{1 + \left( {{IC}\;{50/x}} \right)^{n}} + \min}$ where max=total binding, min=non specific binding, x=concentration (M) of the tested compound and n=Hill slope. The inhibition dissociation constant (Ki) of each compound was determined according to the method of Cheng-Prusoff and then converted into negative logarithm (pKi) of the Ki.

Using the above procedure, compounds of the invention were found to have affinity for human serotonin transporter. For example, (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine exhibited a pKi of approximately 9.5 using the above assay.

Example 13 Screening for Compounds Active at Human Norepinephrine Transporter (hNET) Using a Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA)

This assay was used to determine the affinity of ligands for the hNET transporter by competition with [³H]-Nisoxetine. As in the hSERT assay of the above example, receptor-containing membranes were pre-coupled to the SPA beads and the binding of the appropriate radioligand to the transporter was measured. The light emission was proportional to the amount of bound radioligand, with unbound radioligand producing no signal.

HEK-293 cells (Tatsumi et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1997, 30, 249-258) stably expressing recombinant hNET (Clone: HEK-hNET #2) were maintained with media (DMEM hi glucose with 10% FBS, 300 μg/ml G418 and 2 mM L-Glutamine) and incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. Cells were released from culture flasks using PBS for 1-2 minutes. The cells were subsequently centrifuged at 1000 g's for 5 minutes and resuspended in PBS prior to being used in the membrane preparation.

Cell membranes were prepared using a membrane preparation buffer of 50 mM TRIS (pH 7.4). Cell membranes were prepared from a single cube (7.5×10⁹ cells total). Cells were homogenized using a Polytron (setting medium for a 4 second burst). The homogenate was then centrifuged at 48,000×g for 15 minutes, the supernatant subsequently removed and discarded, and the pellet resuspended with fresh buffer. After a second centrifugation, the pellet was re-homogenized and brought to a final volume determined during the assay. Typically, membrane portions were aliquoted in 3-6 mg/ml (w:v). and stored at −80° C.

³[H] Nisoxetine radioligand (Amersham Cat. # TRK942 or Perkin Elmer Cat. # NET1084, specific activity: 70-87 Ci/mmol, stock concentration: 1.22e-5 M, final concentration: 8.25e-9 M), and 50 mM Tris-HCl, 300 mM NaCl, (pH 7.4) buffers were used for Scintillation Proximity Assay IC₅₀/K_(i) determination. Compounds of the invention were diluted from 10 mM to 0.1 nM FAC (10 point curves, whole log/half log dilutions) via a Beckman Biomek 2000 using a serial dilution protocol. The test compounds were then transferred (20 μl/well) and the radioligand was added at 50 μl/well. Membrane and beads were prepared to a ratio of 10 μg:0.7 mg, with 0.7 mg PVT-WGA Amersham beads (Cat# RPQ0282V) added per well. 130 μl of the membrane:bead mixture was added to the assay plate. The mixtures were allowed to stand at room temperature for one hour, and were then counted on a Packard TopCount LCS, a generic SPA counting protocol settings (Energy Range: Low, Efficiency Mode: Normal, Region A: 1.50-35.00, Region B: 1.50-256.00, Count Time (min.): 0.40, Background Subtract: none, Half-Life Correction: no, Quench Indicator: tSIS, Platemap blank subtraction: No, Cross talk reduction: Off).

The % inhibition was calculated for each compound tested [(Compound CPM at maximum concentration-Non-Specific CPM)/Total CPM*100]. The concentration producing 50% inhibition (IC₅₀) was determined using an iterative non-linear curve fitting technique with Activity Base/Xlfit using the following equation:

$y = {\frac{\max - \min}{1 + \left( {{IC}\;{50/x}} \right)^{n}} + \min}$ where max=total binding, min=non specific binding, x=concentration (M) of the tested compound and n=Hill slope. The inhibition dissociation constant (Ki) of each compound was determined according to the method of Cheng-Prusoff and then converted into negative logarithm (pKi) of the Ki.

Using the above procedure, compounds of the invention were found to have affinity for the human norepinephrine transporter. For example, (1H-Indazol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine exhibited a pKi of approximately 8.8 using the above assay.

Example 14 Screening for Compounds Active at Human Dopamine Transporter Using a Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA)

This assay was used to determine the affinity of ligands for the dopamine transporter by competition with [³H]-Vanoxerine.

HEK-293 cells (Tatsumi et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 1997, 30, 249-258) stably expressing recombinant hDAT were maintained with media (DMEM hi glucose with 10% FBS, 300 μg/ml G418 and 2 mM L-Glutamine) and incubated at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. Cells were plated four hours prior to experiment by placing approximately 30,000 cells per well (in PBS) on white, opaque Cell-Tak coated 96 well plates. Extra buffer was apriated from the cell plates using an ELx405 plate washer.

³[H] vanoxerine (GBR 12909) radioligand, specific activity approximately 59 Ci/mmol, stock concentration, 400 nM, and 50 mM Tris-HCl, 300 mM NaCl, (pH 7.4) buffers were used for Scintillation Proximity Assay IC₅₀/K_(i) determination. Compounds of the invention were diluted from 10 mM to 0.1 nM FAC (10 point curves, whole log/half log dilutions) via a Beckman Biomek 2000 using a 10-point dilution protocol. The mixtures were allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, and were then counted on a Packard TopCount LCS, a generic SPA counting protocol settings, Count Time (min.): 0.40, Background Subtract: none, Half-Life Correction: none, Quench Indicator: tSIS, Platemap blank subtraction: none, Cross talk reduction: Off).

The % inhibition was calculated for each compound tested [(Compound CPM at maximum concentration-Non-Specific CPM)/Total CPM*100]. The concentration producing 50% inhibition (IC₅₀) was determined using an iterative non-linear curve fitting technique with Activity Base/Xlfit using the following equation:

$y = {\frac{\max - \min}{1 + \left( {{IC}\;{50/x}} \right)^{n}} + \min}$ where max=total binding, min=non specific binding, x=concentration (M) of the tested compound and n=Hill slope. The inhibition dissociation constant (Ki) of each compound was determined according to the method of Cheng-Prusoff and then converted into negative logarithm (pKi) of the Ki.

Using the above procedure, compounds of the invention were found to have affinity for the human dopamine transporter. For example, 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzenesulfonamide exhibited a pKi of approximately 8.0 using the above assay.

Example 15 Formalin Pain Assay

Male Sprague Dawley rats (180-220 g) are placed in individual Plexiglas cylinders and allowed to acclimate to the testing environment for 30 min. Vehicle, drug or positive control (morphine 2 mg/kg) is administered subcutaneously at 5 ml/kg. 15 min post dosing, formalin (5% in 50 μl) is injected into plantar surface of the right hind paw using a 26-gauge needle. Rats are immediately put back to the observation chamber. Mirrors placed around the chamber allow unhindered observation of the formalin-injected paw. The duration of nociphensive behavior of each animal is recorded by a blinded observer using an automated behavioral timer. Hindpaw licking and shaking/lifting are recorded separately in 5 min bin, for a total of 60 min. The sum of time spent licking or shaking in seconds from time 0 to 5 min is considered the early phase, whereas the late phase is taken as the sum of seconds spent licking or shaking from 15 to 40 min. A plasma sample is collected.

Example 16 Colon Pain Assay

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-425 g; Harlan, Indianapolis, Ind.) are housed 1-2 per cage in an animal care facility. Rats are deeply anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally. Electrodes are placed and secured into the external oblique musculature for electromyographic (EMG) recording. Electrode leads are tunneled subcutaneously and exteriorized at the nape of the neck for future access. After surgery, rats are housed separately and allowed to recuperate for 4-5 days prior to testing.

The descending colon and rectum are distended by pressure-controlled inflation of a 7-8 cm-long flexible latex balloon tied around a flexible tube. The balloon is lubricated, inserted into the colon via the anus, and anchored by taping the balloon catheter to the base of the tail. Colorectal distension (CRD) is achieved by opening a solenoid gate to a constant pressure air reservoir. Intracolonic pressure is controlled and continuously monitored by a pressure control device. Response is quantified as the visceromotor response (VMR), a contraction of the abdominal and hindlimb musculature. EMG activity produced by contraction of the external oblique musculature is quantified using Spike2 software (Cambridge Electronic Design). Each distension trial lasts 60 sec, and EMG activity is quantified for 20 sec before distension (baseline), during 20 sec distension, and 20 sec after distention. The increase in total number of recorded counts during distension above baseline is defined as the response. Stable baseline responses to CRD (10, 20, 40 and 80 mmHg, 20 seconds, 4 minutes apart) are obtained in conscious, unsedated rats before any treatment.

Compounds are evaluated for effects on responses to colon distension initially in a model of acute visceral nociception and a model of colon hypersensitivity produced by intracolonic treatment with zymosan (1 mL, 25 mg/mL) instilled into the colon with a gavage needle inserted to a depth of about 6 cm. Experimental groups will consist of 8 rats each.

Acute visceral nociception: For testing effects of drug on acute visceral nociception, 1 of 3 doses of drug, vehicle or positive control (morphine, 2.5 mg/kg) are administered after baseline responses are established; responses to distension are followed over the next 60-90 minutes.

Visceral hypersensitivity: For testing effects of drug or vehicle after intracolonic treatment with zymosan, intracolonic treatment is given after baseline responses are established. Prior to drug testing at 4 hours, responses to distension are assessed to establish the presence of hypersensitivity. In zymosan-treated rats, administration of 1 of 3 doses of drug, vehicle or positive control (morphine, 2.5 mg/kg) are given 4 hours after zymosan treatment and responses to distension followed over the next 60-90 minutes.

Example 17 Cold Allodynia in Rats with a Chronic Constriction Injury of the Sciatic Nerve

The effects of compounds of this invention on cold allodynia are determined using the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain in rats, where cold allodynia is measured in a cold-water bath with a metal-plate floor and water at a depth of 1.5-2.0 cm and a temperature of 3-4° C. (Gogas, K. R. et al., Analgesia, 1997, 3, 1-8).

Specifically, CCI, rats are anesthetized; the trifurcation of the sciatic nerve is located and 4 ligatures (4-0, or 5-0 chromic gut) are placed circumferentially around the sciatic nerve proximal to the trifurcation. The rats are then allowed to recover from the surgery. On days 4-7 after surgery, the rats are initially assessed for cold-induced allodynia by individually placing the animals in the cold-water bath and recording the total lifts of the injured paw during a 1-min period of time: The injured paw is lifted out of the water. Paw lifts associated with locomotion or body repositioning are not recorded. Rats that displayed 5 lifts per min or more on day 4-7 following surgery are considered to exhibit cold allodynia and are used in subsequent studies. In the acute studies, vehicle, reference compound or compounds of this invention are administered subcutaneously (s.c.) 30 min before testing. The effects of repeated administration of the compounds of this invention on cold allodynia are determined 14, 20 or 38 h following the last oral dose of the following regimen: oral (p.o.) administration of vehicle, reference or a compound of this invention at ˜12 h intervals (BID) for 7 days.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A compound of Formula I:

or an enantiomer, diastereomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: m is 0 or 1; R is hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; Q¹ is N(R^(a′)); Q² is CH, C(R^(b)); Q³ is CH, C(R^(b)); R^(a) is H or lower alkyl; R^(a′) is H, lower alkyl, or —S(═O)₂R^(c); each R^(b) is independently R^(b′) or R^(b″); each R^(b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, —CN, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, phenyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(c); each R^(b″) is independently —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)); each R^(c) is independently R^(d) or R^(e); R^(d) is H; R^(e) is lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, or phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(e′);  each R^(e′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, or —CN; R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each independently H, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, or lower alkoxy; r is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and R³ is halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, —CN, —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)).
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R^(a), R^(a′), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein m is
 0. 4. The compound of claim 2, wherein r is
 0. 5. The compound of claim 2, wherein r is
 1. 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is lower alkyl.
 7. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is halogen.
 8. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is —CN.
 9. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is lower alkoxy.
 10. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is lower haloalkoxy.
 11. The compound of claim 5, wherein R³ is cycloalkyl alkyl.
 12. A compound of Formula II

or an enantiomer, diastereomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: m is 0 or 1; R is hydroxy, halogen, lower alkyl, or lower alkoxy; Q¹ is N(R^(a′)); Q² is CH, C(R^(b)); Q³ is CH, C(R^(b)); R^(a) is H or lower alkyl; R^(a′) is H, lower alkyl, or —S(═O)₂R^(c); each R^(b) is independently R^(b′) or R^(b″); each R^(b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, —CN, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, phenyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(c); each R^(b″) is independently —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)); each R^(c) is independently R^(d) or R^(e); R^(d) is H; R^(e) is lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, or phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(e′);  each R^(e′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, or —CN; R¹ is R^(1a) or R^(1b); R^(1a) is H; R^(1b) is lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, benzyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl alkyl, heteroaryl, naphthalenyl, optionally substituted with one or more R^(1b′); each R^(1b′) is independently hydroxy, halogen, amino, phenyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, or —CN; R^(2a) and R^(2b) are each independently H, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, or lower alkoxy; r is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and R³ is halogen, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower haloalkoxy, lower hydroxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl alkyl, —CN, —C(═O)N(R^(c))₂, —S(═O)₂R^(c), —C(═O)(R^(c)), —C(═O)O(R^(c)), —OC(═O)(R^(c)), —N(R^(c))₂, S(═O)₂N(R^(c))₂, or —NHC(═O)(R^(c)).
 13. The compound of claim 12, wherein R^(a), R^(a′), R^(2a), and R^(2b) are H Q² is CH, and Q³ is CH.
 14. The compound of claim 12, wherein m is
 0. 15. The compound of claim 13, wherein R¹ is cycloalkyl alkyl.
 16. The compound of claim 13, wherein R¹ is heterocycloalkyl alkyl.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 18. A method for treating anxiety, depression, or both, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1, wherein said treating consists of relieving the disease state.
 19. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 12 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 20. A method for treating anxiety, depression, or both, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of the compound of claim 12, wherein said treating consists of relieving the disease state.
 21. A compound selected from the group consisting of: Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine; Cyclohexylmethyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-amine; Benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (3,4-Dichloro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-phenethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(2-methyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methoxy-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (2-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (4-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (2-Chloro-benzyl)-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; 2-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile; 4-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzonitrile; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-(3-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-(4-trifluoromethoxy-benzyl)-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; Cyclopropylmethyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-isobutyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-amine; (8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl)-benzyl-(1H-indol-5-yl)-amine; 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile; Benzyl-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; Benzyl-(7-chloro-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (1-Benzenesulfonyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanol; 5-(Benzyl-piperidin-4-yl-amino)-1H-indole-2-sulfonic acid amide; (1H-Indol-5-yl)-(3-methanesulfonyl-benzyl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzenesulfonamide; N-(3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-phenyl)-methanesulfonamide; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzamide; (3-Fluoro-benzyl)-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; (3-Methoxy-benzyl)-(1-methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amine; 3-{[(1H-Indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-N,N-dimethyl-benzenesulfonamide; and 3-{[(1-Methyl-1H-indol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-yl-amino]-methyl}-benzenesulfonamide. 